2012 NHL Playoffs - Conference Semifinals

The Conference Semis of the NHL Playoffs get underway tonight when Nashville and Phoenix square off. There was plenty of chaos in the Quarterfinals. I correctly picked the Rangers and Devils to advance in the East, while every series in the West turned out the opposite of what I picked. I'm sure there will be more to come in the Semis. It may be wise to bet against me. Nonetheless, here is a look at who I think will advance to the Conference Finals.

Eastern Conference Semifinals



1 NY Rangers (-180) vs. 7 Washington (+150)

The Washington Capitals dethroned the Stanley Cup Champions with a thrilling OT victory in Game 7. The Caps have a history of choking in the playoffs when they have stellar regular season. This year they floundered throughout the year, and they find themselves pulling off a 1st Round upset. The Rangers had to fight for everything they got against the Senators. Luckily for them, they aren't the only team that went through a grueling series. The Rangers are the better team, but expect them to have to fight tooth and nail again

Prediction - NY Rangers over Washington 4-3



5 Philadelphia (-180) vs. 6 New Jersey (+150)

The Flyers and Devils each advanced to the Semis as lower seeds. Philly devastated the cross-state rivals and Cup favorite, Penguins as the Flyers disposed of their arch nemesis in 6 games. The Flyers offense was top-notch throughout the series. New Jersey won an exhilarating Game 7 in double OT down in Florida. Philadelphia showed that they are playing with a purpose. They have the potential to win the East. They will take the necessary step towards that by beating New Jersey.

Prediction - Philadelphia over New Jersey 4-2

Western Conference Semifinals



2 St. Louis (-170) vs. 8 Los Angeles (+145)

The playoffs are all about goaltending, and these two teams have a couple of the best around. Johnathan Quick of LA and Jaroslav Halak of Saint Louis can each shut down the opposing team. Both of these teams have been stellar defensively and will make it difficult for either team to score. I picked the Kings to win the Stanley Cup when the season began, but the way their season shook out was not optimal for a Cup run. They will push the Blues to the brink of elimination, but Saint Louis will advance in their search for the first Cup.

Prediction - St. Louis over Los Angeles 4-3



3 Phoenix (+145) vs. 4 Nashville (-170)

This is an interesting matchup, simply because of the cities these two teams hail from. Phoenix and Nashville are not exactly hockey hot beds. The Coyotes won their first playoff series in franchise history by defeating Chicago. Nashville all of the sudden finds themselves as the possible favorite to represent the West in the Stanley Cup. Nashville got some needed rest and should be able to get past the Coyotes on their way to the Western Conference Finals.

Prediction - Nashville over Phoenix 4-2